A very public divorce, and an even more public meltdown involving some chickens on Celebrity Big Brother, saw Les Dennis dubbed “Les Miserables”.

But fast-forward 12 years and life could not be more different for the now happily married actor who is starring in ­television’s biggest soap.

While things are undoubtedly sweet for the star, his role in Coronation Street has raised one decidedly less jolly issue – that of his health.

In an uncanny case of life imitating art, Les’s Corrie character Michael Rodwell has been diagnosed with a life threatening heart condition – the same one that killed both his father and his long-standing comedy partner, Dustin Gee.

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Speaking for the first time about the hereditary disease and concerns for his own health, Les, 61, says he now has annual medical MOTs.

He explains: “The parallels with this storyline are quite freaky. Michael has been diagnosed with hypertrophic ­cardiomyopathy – Dustin had dilated cardiomyopathy, while my dad died from a heart condition.

“Because of this, it is something I obviously relate to. Dustin was in his prime and doing really well at 43, then he was suddenly taken away. I draw on the tears easier because of it.

“Dustin knew he had this condition, he knew he was on borrowed time but Dustin being Dustin, a fatalist, just said, ‘F*** it. When I go, I go’.

“With this storyline I hope to show people how to deal with it – there’s no cure but it can be lessened.

“I know the researchers spoke to a lot of consultants and were very keen to get everything right.

“I also spoke to two guys who have the same condition as Michael. They had to undergo a heart transplant but have both come out the other side.”

Sorely missed: Les with his father and baby Philip (Photo: Mercury Press)

In the hit ITV soap, viewers will see Michael having open heart surgery as he battles the condition which is also known as Sudden Death Syndrome.

It affects over 600 young people every year. Victims collapse without warning when the heart becomes unable to pump blood around the body. It is often triggered by vigorous exercise.

In 2012, Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed during a game against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be resuscitated on the pitch.

Manchester City and Cameroon ­footballer Marc-Vivien Foe was only 28 when he died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2003 during an international game.

Impressionist Dustin, meanwhile, suffered a cardiac arrest while on stage with Les on New Year’s Day in 1986.

After being taken to hospital, and briefly rallying, the comedian died two days later, with Les at his bedside.

Joker: With his pal and comedy partner Dustin (Photo: Daily Record)

Now a dad of two young children – Eleanor, six, and Thomas, three – the former Family Fortunes host is aware of the importance of staying healthy.

He adds: “It has made me more aware, and I do try and look after myself. My dad first had a heart attack when I was 14.

"I remember it because we were supposed to be going to Butlin’s and, being a terribly selfish kid, I was gutted because it meant we couldn’t go.

“He then died while I was away with Russ Abbott on tour. It was before mobiles so nobody could get hold of me to let me know he was in hospital so I didn’t find out until the next morning by which time it was too late.

“I also have cancer on my mum’s side – she died from a lung disease, and my dad was 66 when he passed away.

“I try not to think about it too much but know that I have to do what I can to prevent it. Being an older dad, I do have that responsibility to look after myself and get checked out.”

Following his divorce from Amanda Holden in 2003, Les is now settled with his third wife, Claire Nicholson.

His career has come full circle after a serious nadir in 2003 when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, and was shown in the garden talking miserably to the chickens.

Down on his cluck: Les in the CBB house (Photo: E4)

Within months of emerging from the house, his divorce from Amanda Holden was announced.

For a while, the “Les Miserables” nickname stuck and his became a byword for a washed-up celebrity.

But it was his 2005 appearance in the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras which helped turn things around, even though Les played an exaggerated parody of himself.

He did it brilliantly.

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He is now loving life back in the public eye, playing Michael in the Street.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes that I’ve got this job,” he says. “There was a time when the phone didn’t ring, when there was no work. I did Big Brother hoping it would be the regeneration and reboot I needed... but it wasn’t.”

He adds: “The headlines fitted what they wanted me to be. For five years, they had me ­miserable and alone. Whenever I was walking the dogs, they’d get the picture when I was picking up dog poo.

“Meeting Claire changed my life because I never thought I’d ever marry again or be a dad again. It’s been fantastic. If you keep going, things can turn around.”

Les married Claire, 43, in 2009 after meeting her at a charity gala. “I was sitting on my own, being the sad Les I was,” he recalls. “Claire came over and asked me to dance, which I hate doing, but I did it.

“The photographer took our picture and when she came over to show it to me later, I panicked. I went into default mode and asked her if she’d like me to sign it.

"So the very first photo of me and my future wife has, ‘To Claire, love Les Dennis’ scrawled across her arm.”

Family fortunate: Loved-up Les and wife Claire, right; and with ex Amanda Holden, left (Photo: Getty)

Being back in the public eye is something the entertainer clearly relishes.

“The response from the public has been great,” he smiles. “I was paying for my shopping in Waitrose the other day, and bought some flowers for Claire, when the lady at the till said, ‘I see that Gail has got you well trained, then!’ I love all that.”

Les, who is also father to son Philip, 34, from his first marriage to Lynne Webster, adds: “Now that I’ve got this lovely family and a great life... I’m far from Les Miserables.

“It feels like when you get a wishbone in a turkey – well, now I don’t need to wish for anything.”